At the donation ceremony, Rector Dr. Béla Merkely, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Semmelweis University Foundation, expressed his gratitude to Lidl Hungary and Hungarian customers for the idea and implementation of the fundraising campaign, which ran for more than two months. He stressed that Semmelweis University is the leading medical and health sciences training center in Hungary and the region, and also the largest center for patient care. Its mission is to provide the highest standards of patient care. “The donation of nearly HUF 38 million will enable us to improve the quality and efficiency of clinical patient care,” said the rector.
Jenő Grósz, Chairman of the Board of Lidl Hungary, said: “We are delighted that so many people have joined our fundraising campaign and we thank our customers for contributing to the success of our initiative. We are proud to be able to support the health care system in Hungary with this nearly HUF 38 million.”
Semmelweis University has around 40 patient care departments and clinics, which treat around 140,000 inpatient cases per year. The university has taken a leading role in the fight against the coronavirus and in vaccinating the population. Since December 26, 2020, its staff have administered more than half a million vaccines and treated more than 8,000 COVID-19 patients since the start of the pandemic.
Dr. Attila Szabó, Vice-Rector for Clinical Affairs, recalled that at the peak of the pandemic in spring 2021, 1200 beds were in use for COVID-19 patients. “The equipment fleet was also under severe strain. That’s why we are delighted with the donation, which will allow us to purchase nearly 30 electric hospital beds, supporting a high level of care and faster recovery for patients,” he said. He added that the special beds will not only help in the care of patients in internal medicine, but will also be used in the treatment and rehabilitation of coronavirus patients.
“In many cases, patients who are immobile or limited in their movement spend 24 hours a day lying in their beds, so it is particularly important that the hospital bed is in line with modern therapeutic guidelines,” he said.
The special beds, which cost between HUF 1-1.5 million, can be individually adjusted in height, backrest and foot end to the patient’s height, ensuring a comfortable and safe lying position. Multi-layer mattresses reduce the risk of bedsores, lowerable guard rails allow for easier patient movement, while rolling wheels with brakes make patient transport and bed movement easier. The modern beds not only increase the comfort and safety of patients, but also make the work of their caregivers much easier.
The fundraising campaign was launched by Lidl Hungary to support the Hungarian health care system, which has been under particular strain in the fight against the coronavirus for almost two years now. In the spirit of social responsibility, the company has decided to support Semmelweis University, one of the largest health care institutions in Hungary, by also involving Hungarian customers.
Translation: Tamás Deme
Photo: Attila Kovács – Semmelweis University
